I'd offer my services to check it over for you, but after reading some of my backposts, you would probably decline that offer.: Good luck with your search, take a competent MV person along, if you are unsure,(not an old foggie such as I ) Good Luck with your hunting, and keep us updated.:
If you are looking at a petrol 147, check for history of cambelt and tensioner changes. Every 36K miles or 3 years, which ever is sooner. There is no room for error. Also check the oil. If its not on the max mark, avoid it as these engines don't like running low and have a tendency to sup away at it.
Diesels seem to be the safer choice, but there's a lot of petrol-heads on here who wouldn't buy one regardless.
enjoy looking around and checking out the threads 
